Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 58 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Although my brother Quintus and Piso have written careful accounts of what has been done, I wish your business had not kept you from sending me, as you usually do, a full report of what is happening and what you think it means.
For now Plancius' generosity keeps me here, though I have several times tried to leave for Epirus. He has been given a hope, one I do not share, that we may go home together, and he hopes that would bring him great honor. But when the soldiers are said to be approaching, I shall have to leave him. As soon as I do, I will send to you at once so that you know where I am.
Lentulus' sense of duty toward me, shown in action, promises, and letters, gives me some hope of Pompey's goodwill; you have often written that Pompey is entirely in Lentulus' hands. As for Metellus, my brother has written to me about the progress he hopes you have made with him.
My dear Pomponius, fight for me: fight so that I may be allowed to live with you and with my family. Write everything to me. I am crushed by grief and by longing for everything, above all for my own people, who have always been dearer to me than myself. Take care of your health.
Because I would have heard nothing for a very long time if I went to Epirus through Thessaly, and because the people of Dyrrachium are devoted to me, I have come to them after writing the earlier part of this letter at Thessalonica. When I turn from here toward your house, I will let you know. Please write to me everything, whatever kind of news it is, with the greatest care. I am now waiting either for the reality itself or for no hope at all. Dyrrachium, November 25.
Though my brother Quintus and Piso have sent me careful accounts of what has been done, I am sorry you were too busy to write your usual full description of events and of your surmises. Plancius’ kindness keeps me here still, though I have several times tried to go to Epirus. He is inspired with a hope, which I do not share, that we may return together: which he hopes would redound to his honour. But now, as soon as news arrives of the approach of the soldiers, I shall have to make an effort to leave him. When I do, I will send word to you at once and let you know where I am. The courtesy which Lentulus shows in his actions, his promises and his letters, gives me some hope of Pompey’s good will: for you have often mentioned that he would do anything for him. With Metellus, my brother tells me, you have had as much success as he hoped. My dear Pomponius, fight hard for me to be allowed to live with you and with my family; and send me all the news. I am bowed down with grief through my longing for all my dear ones, who have always been dearer to me than myself. Take care of yourself.
Knowing that I should be a very long time without any news, if I went to Epirus through Thessaly, and that the people of Dyrrachium were warm friends of mine, I have come to them, after writing the first part of this letter at Thessalonica. As soon as I leave here and go to your house, I will let you know; and please write me every detail of whatsoever kind. Now I look either for the fulfilment of my hopes or for blank despair.
Dyrrachium, Nov 25.
etsi diligenter ad me Quintus frater et Piso quae essent acta scripserant, tamen vellem tua te occupatio non impedisset quo minus, ut consuesti, ad me quid ageretur et quid intellegeres perscriberes. me adhuc Plancius liberalitate sua retinet iam aliquotiens conatum ire in Epirum. spes homini est iniecta non eadem quae mihi posse nos una decedere; quam rem sibi magno honori sperat fore. sed iam, cum adventare milites dicentur, faciendum nobis erit ut ab eo discedamus. quod cum faciemus, ad te statim mittemus, ut scias ubi simus. [2] Lentulus suo in nos officio, quod et re et promissis et litteris declarat, spem nobis non nullam adfert Pompei voluntatis; saepe enim tu ad me scripsisti eum totum esse in illius potestate. de Metello scripsit ad me frater quantum speraret profectum esse per te. mi Pomponi, pugna ut tecum et cum meis mihi liceat vivere et scribe ad me omnia. premor luctu, desiderio cum omnium rerum (tum meorum) qui mihi me cariores semper fuerunt. cura ut valeas. [4] ego quod per Thessaliam si irem in Epirum perdiu nihil eram auditurus et quod mei studiosos habeo Dyrrachinos, ad eos perrexi, cum illa superiora Thessalonicae scripsissem. Inde cum ad te me convertam, faciam ut scias, tuque ad me velim omnia quam diligentissime cuicuimodi sunt scribas. ego iam aut rem aut ne spem quidem exspecto. data vi Kal. Decembr. Dyrrachi.
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Although my brother Quintus and Piso have written careful accounts of what has been done, I wish your business had not kept you from sending me, as you usually do, a full report of what is happening and what you think it means.
For now Plancius' generosity keeps me here, though I have several times tried to leave for Epirus. He has been given a hope, one I do not share, that we may go home together, and he hopes that would bring him great honor. But when the soldiers are said to be approaching, I shall have to leave him. As soon as I do, I will send to you at once so that you know where I am.
Lentulus' sense of duty toward me, shown in action, promises, and letters, gives me some hope of Pompey's goodwill; you have often written that Pompey is entirely in Lentulus' hands. As for Metellus, my brother has written to me about the progress he hopes you have made with him.
My dear Pomponius, fight for me: fight so that I may be allowed to live with you and with my family. Write everything to me. I am crushed by grief and by longing for everything, above all for my own people, who have always been dearer to me than myself. Take care of your health.
Because I would have heard nothing for a very long time if I went to Epirus through Thessaly, and because the people of Dyrrachium are devoted to me, I have come to them after writing the earlier part of this letter at Thessalonica. When I turn from here toward your house, I will let you know. Please write to me everything, whatever kind of news it is, with the greatest care. I am now waiting either for the reality itself or for no hope at all. Dyrrachium, November 25.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
etsi diligenter ad me Quintus frater et Piso quae essent acta scripserant, tamen vellem tua te occupatio non impedisset quo minus, ut consuesti, ad me quid ageretur et quid intellegeres perscriberes. me adhuc Plancius liberalitate sua retinet iam aliquotiens conatum ire in Epirum. spes homini est iniecta non eadem quae mihi posse nos una decedere; quam rem sibi magno honori sperat fore. sed iam, cum adventare milites dicentur, faciendum nobis erit ut ab eo discedamus. quod cum faciemus, ad te statim mittemus, ut scias ubi simus. [2] Lentulus suo in nos officio, quod et re et promissis et litteris declarat, spem nobis non nullam adfert Pompei voluntatis; saepe enim tu ad me scripsisti eum totum esse in illius potestate. de Metello scripsit ad me frater quantum speraret profectum esse per te. mi Pomponi, pugna ut tecum et cum meis mihi liceat vivere et scribe ad me omnia. premor luctu, desiderio cum omnium rerum (tum meorum) qui mihi me cariores semper fuerunt. cura ut valeas. [4] ego quod per Thessaliam si irem in Epirum perdiu nihil eram auditurus et quod mei studiosos habeo Dyrrachinos, ad eos perrexi, cum illa superiora Thessalonicae scripsissem. Inde cum ad te me convertam, faciam ut scias, tuque ad me velim omnia quam diligentissime cuicuimodi sunt scribas. ego iam aut rem aut ne spem quidem exspecto. data vi Kal. Decembr. Dyrrachi.